Modern business needs are transforming rapidly and require more IT agility, security abilities and digital-based solutions. Secure Access Service Edge (SASE, pronounced sassy), a term coined in 2019 by Gartner, is a new network and security solution to answer all these requirements.
This blog post will explain what SASE is, its benefits and when we recommend choosing a SASE solution for your business needs.
What is SASE?
SASE is a new security network architecture that combines both network access and security capabilities in one single solution. From the security side, SASE solutions provide an identity-based approach. This means that access to assets and systems is permitted according to the identity of the device and user, and not their network or perimeter origin. From the network side, SASE ensures access to all edges, from mobile users to company branches to third parties to IoT. SASE is a WAN-based, cloud-native architecture with global reach.
4 SASE Benefits
1. Ease of Use
SASE is a single converged network and security solution that can replace multiple products and vendors. This makes IT and security management easier and reduces the large amount of overhead that these teams usually have to deal with. Instead of managing products from multiple interfaces and dashboards and worrying about the integrations between them, SASE provides a single management and policy control interface for them all. In addition, some SASE providers prioritize the user experience, making the solution friendly and simple to use.
2. Security
Identity-based access is a more secure approach than network based access. It protects the network from within, whereas a network based approach lets perpetrators access all systems and apps once they’ve entered the network. An identity-based access model like zero trust authenticates all users and devices each time and any time they request access to systems, apps and assets. It also hides the mapping of which assets exist in the network. This ensures attackers will not have access to the crown jewels.
3. Business Enablement
SASE’s global reach and multi-edge connection ensures users can easily access systems and apps from anywhere. This enables employees to easily continue working without having to be dependent on IT teams. Frictionless network access and flexibility boost productivity and employee satisfaction.
4. High Performance
Optimized global networks and traffic routing to physically close PoPs and CDNs reduce latency and enable higher performance. In addition, the removal of hampering solutions like VPNs ensure higher performance and quicker business cycles.
3 SASE Use Cases
SASE is a solution fit for any business going through digital transformation or any organization that prioritizes security and easy network access. However, it particularly shines in the following use cases:
1. SASE for OT
SASE has the ability to connect all edges while providing top-grade security. This is especially important for plants and companies with production lines that operate OT networks. Such operational technology networks are often subject to strict regulations and cannot be connected to the public internet. SASE’s security abilities enable OT access for employees, third parties, partners, customers, and more. A single centralized policy control system lets CISOs easily manage users and authorization.
2. SASE for Global Offices
While many network solutions provide local access and limited global access, SASE connects the entire world. Distributed PoPs connect branches and remote employees to the closest edge of the CDN over a global SD-WAN network on a cloud-native architecture. As a result, global businesses can utilize security and access abilities to eliminate their dependency on local networks that might be slow or restricted.
3. SASE for Remote Work
Covid-19 has accelerated the transition to remote work, a tendency that was growing steadily even before the pandemic. As the ability to work from home will probably stay with us long after Covid, SASE vendors enable employees to access the business network from any device or network, without requiring a VPN and over a cloud-native architecture. This ensures business continuity and does not inhibit employees from working from outside of the office.
